"Apprenticeships are something I care passionately about. I am
delighted to be taking on this role and working closely with
different sectors which will be important in helping to create
opportunities for millions of our citizens and providing great
talent for business," Jenkins said in a statement released to
announce his appointment.

Nick Boles, the Skills Minister added: "Antony brings more than 3
decades of experience from the heart of business to the role and
will help shape the Institute for Apprenticeships so it meets the
needs of employers. We’re putting employers in control when it
comes to apprenticeships because it’s employers who know the
skills, training and experience their future workforce needs to
succeed"

In his role, Jenkins will be tasked with championing
apprenticeship schemes across the country for an organisation
that is ultimately aimed at ensuring that "employees get the
skills they need to succeed from the apprenticeship system."

One area Jenkins is likely to focus on is the financial
technology industry — commonly known as fintech. Jenkins is
trying to get into fintech himself, having
reviewed 100 fintech businesses, and met with 50. He is
reportedly mulling either joining one or starting up his own
venture.

Jenkins is currently one of only two people to feature on the
IfA's board, after Rachel Sandby-Thomas, a trusted lawyer who was
appointed as shadow CEO in March, abruptly left the IfA in May to
become the registrar of Warwick University. The other board
member is Nicola Bolton, a former IBM employee. Bolton is the
shadow COO of the IfA.